Purpose: To analyze cardiorespiratory variables during incremental rowing comparing upper and lower body muscle groups in untrained rowers.

Methods: Twelve moderately trained volunteers performed three incremental rowing tests on the Concept II ergometer using upper body (UBE), lower body (LBE), and full body exercise (FBE) protocols. Physiological parameters were recorded using a portable spiroergometry system. Blood lactate concentration (BLa) was measured before and immediately after each test.

Results: Mean maximal oxygen consumption (VO₂max) was 50.9 mL min^-1 kg^-1 and higher in both FBE and LBE compared to UBE. VO₂max in FBE and LBE demonstrated a linear correlation. Adding arm to leg exercise, VO₂max remained unchanged with a mean difference of 2.8%. The relative fitness (individual peak VO₂max values over all tests) was 57% for UBE and 98% for LBE. The BLa in UBE was significantly lower compared to both FBE and LBE. The highest work rates (WR) at ventilatory thresholds and VO₂max were reached in FBE. With WRmax in FBE set to 100%, the WR was 29% in UBE and 83% in LBE. The arms were calculated to contribute a 10% increase to performance. The aerobic energy contribution during FBE, LBE and UBE was 48.8%, 51.8%, and 39.0%, respectively.

Conclusions: Our findings allow for a better understanding of maximal intensity rowing without previous long-term training effects. In moderately fit adults, ergometer rowing has the potential to improve both cardiorespiratory fitness and muscle strength by pushing aerobic and anaerobic capacities to their limits.